On May 16, 2017, Lonza, a global leader in the field of biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing, announced the acquisition of HansaBioMed Life Sciences OÜ (HBM-LS), based in Tallinn, Estonia, a start-up company dedicated to the research and development, manufacturing, and distribution of products for the exosomes research market. Lonza has also agreed to make a strategic investment in Exosomics Siena S.p.A. (Exosomics), an Italian start-up company developing exosome-based, early-stage cancer screening and molecular diagnostic tests. Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles released by all living cells in a finely regulated manner. They are found in biological fluids and contain genetic material, proteins, and other cellular molecules reflecting the characteristic of their cells of origin. Functioning as nano-bullets with multiple surface receptors for crossing biological barriers, tissue targeting, and delivery of bioactive molecules, they have the potential of being developed for various applications in life sciences. Exosomes’ acknowledged role as effectors in tissue regeneration, immune response, and inflammation shows their potential as the next generation of vaccine development, drug delivery, and off-the-shelf, cell-free regenerative therapies. “Exosomes represent a dynamically growing segment in life sciences with opportunities in research, diagnostics, and therapeutic applications,” said Dr. Uwe Gottschalk, Chief Technology Officer for Lonza Pharma & Biotech.Login Or Register To Read Full Story